The video for "This Love" by Maroon 5 uses visual imagery and symbols that relate to the song's lyrics about a passionate but troubled relationship. Shots of a red wall represent love and anger, distance between the couple mirrors lyrics about goodbye, and intimate shots convey the sexual pleasure and dissatisfaction described in the lyrics. Throughout the video, the costumes, lighting, and CGI effects reinforce themes of love, passion, and the turmoil addressed in the song.

1. 9 Frame Analysis
Maroon 5 – This Love
By Shannon Shepherdson

2. In this Long Shot of the first view of the band there are a
few connotations that relate to video to the song title. In
the background of this shot there is a red wall, which
could be a connotation of love, as the colour red is
usually related to the emotion love or anger. This is a
perfect example as the lyrics are talking about how the
woman Adam Levine is singing about is angry within the
first stanza: “I was so high, I did not recognize, The fire
burning in her eyes,”
This next shot of a Long Shot is showing a
distance between the couple in the shot, which is
Distance
a perfect link with the lyrics during this part of
the video: “The chaos that controlled my mind,
Whispered goodbye as she got on a plane, Never
to return again, But always in my heart.” Also
the body language of the woman is quite hostile,
whereas the man, Adam Levine’s, body language
is almost as if he is defeated and trying to be
uncaring as he turns his back on her.

3. Again here the Medium Shot is showing the passion
between the couple and the link with the lyrics are
quite sexual. The costume, or lack of, appeals to
both the male and female audience as it has both an
attractive male and female partially naked
entangled. “I tried my best to feed her appetite,”
This Medium Close Up is showing the intimacy
between the singer and the woman, who the
song is about. This is a good link to the title of
the song as during this part, the lyrics are
speaking about the sexual pleasure between
the couple linking not only the title, but the
lyrics as well to the video of a half naked
couple kissing. “Keep her coming every night,
So hard to keep her satisfied”

4. Again in this Cut Away to the pianist in the band
shows the red background once again which is a
perfect link in time with the lyrics as the chorus
kicks in and this shot is used as Adam Levine sings:
“This love has taken its toll on me,” The tree leaves
are also a pink and red colour which is also another
connotation of love.
This Medium Close Up of the singer Adam
Levine is a perfect shot for the female
audience as it is showing the singer closer to
the camera which would appeal to the female
audience as he would be classed as a sexual
icon. The contrast of colour between the
singers clothing and the backdrop makes him
stand out from the whole entire video.

5. The slide cut to the band when the chorus kicks
in is a more upbeat slide as the lighting is
brighter and the singer is dancing around a lot
more and the band is moving around too. The
football within the scene is a hint towards a
playfulness in the band that is coming round as
they come together, rather than the separated
band member shots. They’re all together
showing a more functional band other than just
bits and pieces of them.
The CGI used here in the montage of shots is quite
‘trippy’ as the shots flick and blend from one to the
other very quickly keeping in time with the
instruments in the song. The use of the woman
dancing behind him is a perfect example of the
sexuality in the song and how he is trying to reject it
due to the fact she doesn’t feel the same as him.
The Medium shot of the woman towards the end
of the music video, shows the costume that she is
dressed in. The dark colors could relate to the
sinister way she is using Adam Levine for sexual
needs rather than respecting his feelings and
returning them to him.